Matthew 27 40

Matthew 27:40 kjv

And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Matthew 27:40 nkjv

and saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

Matthew 27:40 niv

and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"

Matthew 27:40 esv

and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

Matthew 27:40 nlt

"Look at you now!" they yelled at him. "You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!"

Matthew 27 verses

Matthew 27 40 Meaning

Matthew 27:40 captures the mocking words directed at Jesus while He hung on the cross, representing the peak of His public humiliation. Passers-by taunted Him, ridiculing His previous claim about destroying and rebuilding the temple in three days, and challenging His divine identity by daring Him to save Himself and descend from the cross if He truly were the Son of God. This scene underlines the profound irony of the crucifixion, where humanity's ultimate savior was scoffed at for not saving Himself, thereby demonstrating a profound misunderstanding of His mission.

Matthew 27 40 Context

Matthew 27:40 occurs during Jesus' crucifixion, following His trial before Pilate and subsequent flogging. He has been led to Golgotha and nailed to the cross between two robbers. The verse specifically depicts the public mockery Jesus endured, not only from the Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders but also from the common people passing by. This scene underscores the extreme humiliation and derision heaped upon Him, fulfilling prophecies about the suffering Messiah. The taunt regarding the temple harkens back directly to the false testimonies given against Him during His trial before the Sanhedrin (Matt 26:61) and also connects to Jesus' earlier teaching about His body as the temple (Jn 2:19-21). The challenge to "save yourself" and "come down from the cross" reflects the crowd's demand for a tangible, visible demonstration of divine power as proof of His identity, completely missing the spiritual essence of His redemptive mission.

Matthew 27 40 Word analysis

• And: Connects this action of mocking to the preceding narration of Jesus' crucifixion.
• those passing by: Greek: παραπορευόμενοι (paraporeuomenoi), an active participle implying continuous movement or a steady stream of people walking past. This signifies the public nature of the mockery and that it wasn't confined to a small group but widespread scorn from common citizens. It emphasizes the active participation of the crowd in His humiliation.
• derided/wagged their heads: Greek: ἐβλασφήμουν... κινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλάς (eblasphēmoun... kinountes tas kephalas).
  • ἐβλασφήμουν (eblasphēmoun) means to speak reproachfully, slander, or blaspheme. Here, it signifies speaking ill of Jesus, reviling Him, and specifically questioning His claims about the temple and His divine Sonship, which borders on blasphemy against God's anointed one.
  • κινοῦντες τὰς κεφαλάς (kinountes tas kephalas) literally "shaking their heads." This gesture in ancient cultures, particularly the Near East, was a widely understood sign of scorn, derision, mockery, and malicious triumph (e.g., Ps 22:7, Job 16:4, Jer 18:16). It signifies utter contempt.
• You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, This is a direct, albeit distorted, quotation of the false testimony given against Jesus at His trial (Matt 26:61). The accusation hinges on a misunderstanding of Jesus' profound statement in John 2:19-21, where He referred to His own body as the temple that would be destroyed and raised in three days. The crowd takes it literally, accusing Him of a desire to destroy the physical Jerusalem Temple, which was highly provocative to Jewish ears. Their misunderstanding underscores their spiritual blindness to Jesus' true identity and mission, focusing on earthly structures rather than the spiritual reality of God's presence in Christ.
• save yourself, Greek: Σῶσον σεαυτόν (Sōson seauton). A forceful imperative, challenging Him to act, reflecting a deep spiritual blindness. The term "save" carries both the sense of physical deliverance and spiritual salvation. Here, it is primarily meant in the sense of physical rescue from the cross. It presents a logical fallacy in their eyes: if He could perform such a great feat (destroy and rebuild the temple), He should be able to perform a lesser feat (saving Himself from the cross).
• if you are the Son of God, Greek: Εἰ υἱὸς εἶ τοῦ θεοῦ (Ei huios ei tou theou). This exact phrase was used by Satan to tempt Jesus in the wilderness (Matt 4:3, 6) and by the high priest at His trial (Matt 26:63). It's the ultimate challenge to Jesus' divine identity, His claim to Messiahship and His unique relationship with the Father. The implied premise is: if He is truly God's Son, then He possesses the power to escape His present suffering. Their demand for a miracle to confirm His Sonship echoes a fundamental misunderstanding of the Messianic prophecies that foretold suffering (e.g., Isaiah 53).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,": This phrase connects Jesus' teaching and prophetic utterance (even though distorted by His accusers) directly to His miraculous power. The "temple" in this context points to His body and resurrection, a central theme of His ministry. The "three days" is a key chronological marker pointing towards His resurrection. The accusation, therefore, paradoxically highlights Jesus' ultimate power while intending to discredit Him.
• "save yourself, if you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.": This entire phrase presents a threefold challenge. Firstly, "save yourself" directly questions His perceived impotence. Secondly, "if you are the Son of God" is the core theological challenge, pushing for an undeniable proof of His divine nature. Thirdly, "come down from the cross" offers a specific, concrete action that would satisfy their demand for proof. This interconnected demand epitomizes humanity's carnal desire for visible power over spiritual truth and points to the pivotal moment where Jesus chose the path of suffering for salvation over self-preservation, demonstrating His true Sonship not through force but through sacrificial obedience.

Matthew 27 40 Bonus section

The Roman cultural context for crucifixion was maximum public humiliation and suffering. The active derision of the passers-by added an extra layer of psychological torment, magnifying the shame (Heb 12:2). This public spectacle of degradation was precisely what the Jewish leaders desired, hoping to definitively discredit Jesus and suppress His movement by proving Him to be nothing more than a deluded blasphemer in the eyes of the populace. Their mockery directly aligns with Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah's suffering, such as in Psalm 22 and 69, confirming Jesus' identity even in their rejection. The chief irony lies in the fact that Jesus, through this very act of self-sacrificing endurance, proved His Sonship and demonstrated the power to save, not Himself, but the world. This also forms a polemic against the superficial understanding of power and kingship prevalent in society, presenting God's power through a crucified Messiah as contrary to human expectations.

Matthew 27 40 Commentary

Matthew 27:40 vividly portrays the intense mockery Christ endured on the cross, emphasizing the spiritual blindness of His accusers. Their taunt regarding the temple was a gross distortion of Jesus' prophecy about His body, which would be destroyed and resurrected, a promise pointing directly to His ultimate triumph over death. By demanding He save Himself and descend from the cross if He truly was the Son of God, they challenged His Messiahship based on their expectation of a powerful, triumphant king, rather than a suffering servant. Unbeknownst to them, His refusal to descend was not a sign of weakness, but of profound strength, unwavering obedience, and infinite love, as His suffering and death were the necessary acts for the redemption of all humanity. His ultimate saving act was to remain on the cross, bearing the sin of the world. This moment exemplifies the cosmic irony where divine strength is manifest in weakness, and salvation is found through sacrifice.